Finishing center for mechanical parts

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a finishing center for molded, die-cast, or machined parts. This finishing center ( 10 ) comprises a frame ( 11 ), at least one finishing unit ( 12 ) with rotating finishing devices ( 18 ), at least one unit ( 13 ) which receives the parts to be treated, and a drive means ( 19 ) which displaces the finishing devices in order selectively to place the surfaces of the parts to be treated in contact with the finishing devices for a predetermined length of time. The finishing unit ( 12 ) is attached to the floor of the frame. It can move in translation along three axes (x, y, z) and it can rotate on an axle (A). The unit ( 13 ) for receiving parts to be treated comprises a plate ( 25 ) turning about a vertical axle and two support elements ( 26 ) for displacing the parts to be treated along two orthogonal axes of ratation (B, C).

[0001] The instant invention concerns a center for finishing molded, die-cast, or machined mechanical parts, comprising a frame, at least one finishing unit equipped with rotating finishing devices such as, for example, a tool for deburring, brushing, sanding, grinding, or polishing, at least one unit for receiving the parts to be treated, and a drive means which displaces the finishing devices in order selectively to place the surfaces of the parts to be treated in contact with said finishing devices for a predetermined length of time, said finishing unit is suspended at the top of the frame and said drive means being capable of displacing the finishing means along three orthogonal axes (x, y, z) of linear displacement and one axis of rotation (A) is parallel to one of said orthogonal axes of linear displacement (x)

[0002] Machines for finishing and machining mechanical parts of this type are already known in the art, specifically, the machines which are the subject of international patent application Publication No. PCT/CH86/00126 and those disclosed in French Patent No. 2 629 747 and by international patent application Publication Nos. WO 90/08623, WO 97/00757 and WO 89/07500.

[0003] These high performance machines comprise at least one manipulative robot for placing the parts to be treated in contact with one or more finishing units. Said units being either fixed or movable with the finishing devices rotating on the axle of the machine.

[0004] Certain complications may arise due to the complex geometry of the parts to be treated and the difficulties encountered in supporting the parts, displacing them, and moving them to expose all their surfaces to the finishing devices. More specifically, in certain known machines, the parts are held by a “six axle” robot, that is, with a six degree range. When programming the movement of the parts and of the finishing devices, it is necessary to simultaneously control the six degree range. This is a particularly complicated procedure that is very difficult for those who are not used to this type of programming.

[0005] The machine described in French Patent No. 2 629 747 comprises a finishing unit with a five degree range. The part to be treated is attached to a support with only a one degree range. This machine functions perfectly for a certain type of part. However, the fact that a five degree range must be controlled does not simplify programming the machine. Moreover, due to the configuration of the machine, certain movements by the finishing unit are not possible. As a result, depending upon the type and shape of the parts to be treated, these parts must be treated by two different finishing units. This lengthens the work cycle and decreases the number of parts that can be treated in a given time span.

[0006] Yet another disadvantage with conventional finishing machines arises from the fact that the finishing devices are generally attached to the base of a framework. Waste material generated by the treatment process falls down into the area near the finishing devices. This contaminates certain portions of the machine and shortens its life span. In addition, maintaining and cleaning the finishing unit can take along time, immobilizing the machine for a long period disuse.

[0007] This invention proposes a solution to the disadvantages of the prior art machines by offering an autonomous, modular finishing center responsive to all needs and resolving any problem that may arise during the automatic finishing of mechanical parts, no matter what the shape of the parts or what process they will undergo.

[0008] This goal is achieved by the finishing center of the invention as defined in the preamble, characterized in that the device for receiving the parts comprises a supporting element having at least one support which pivots on a pivot axle B that is parallel to one of said orthogonal axes of linear displacement z.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment, the finishing center comprises a chuck to hold the parts which is attached to said support and which rotates on a rotation axle C that is perpendicular to the pivot axle B of the support.

[0010] The pivot axle of said support for said finishing devices preferably is essentially vertical and the pivot axle of said support preferably is essentially horizontal.

[0011] The support element advantageously comprises a generally horizontal plate holding said pivoting support, said plate pivoting on an axle that is generally vertical, with a means for indexing its position being provided.

[0012] Preferably said plate holds several pivoting supports for receiving the parts to be treated.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said plate holds two pivoting supports situated 180° apart from each other, one of said supports being located in the treatment position near the finishing means while the other is in the loading and unloading position, while the plate moves the two supports from one position to the other by rotating 180°.

[0014] The finishing center according to the invention advantageously comprises a unit for controlling displacement of the finishing unit and/or the unit which receives the parts to be treated. This control unit preferably comprises an operator interface for programming displacement of the finishing unit and/or the unit that receives the parts to be treated, as well as a programming unit for storing data about displacement of the finishing unit and/or the unit that receives the parts to be treated.

[0015] The finishing center may also comprise a vacuum means consisting of a suction device and a suction tube, one end of which opens into the base of the frame.

[0016] The present invention and its features will be apparent from the following description of various embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a profile view of the finishing center according to the invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a view of the surface of the machine of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is an overhead view of the machine of FIG. 1; and

[0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective of one portion of a machine according to the invention.

[0021] With reference to these drawings, finishing center 10 of the instant invention is adapted for treating molded, die-cast, or machined mechanical parts. Said finishing center essentially comprises a frame 11, a finishing unit 12, a unit 13 for receiving the parts to be treated, and a control unit 14.

[0022] Frame 11 comprises a housing 15 equipped with an entry hatch (not shown) for placement and removal of the parts to be treated which also provides optimal user safety. This housing also comprises a door 16 giving access to the interior of the frame, as well as an electrical compartment 17 for placement of all the electrical controls for the machine.

[0023] Finishing unit 12 essentially comprises finishing devices 18 and drive means 19 for said finishing devices. Said finishing unit 12 is attached to ceiling 20 of the frame. This design is particularly advantageous because it frees the lower portion of housing 15 completely. When the finishing center is in use, numerous particles generated by either the treated parts or the material used in treatment fall to the bottom of the housing. In conventional machines, where the finishing units are attached to the floor of the housing, these particles contaminate the finishing units, making maintenance of the unit relatively complicated. Attaching these units to the ceiling greatly facilitates upkeep of the finishing center.

[0024] Finishing devices 18 can be adapted to the treatment taking place. More specifically, they may consist of tools for deburring, brushing, sanding, grinding, or polishing. They generally consist of a cylindrical element 21 such as a grinding wheel or a brush with a surface which can be placed in contact with the parts to be treated.

[0025] Finishing unit 12 may also comprise a means for supplying treatment products, such as abrasive paste or cooling fluid. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, cylindrical element 21 is surrounded by a guard 23 with a window hatch 24 for introducing the treatment product.

[0026] Finishing devices 18 can be displaced along four displacement axes by drive means 19. Two of these axes x, y are horizontal and orthogonal in relation to each other. A third axis z is vertical and orthogonal to the two preceding axes. The fourth axis A is an axis of rotation allowing the finishing devices to pivot about an axis that is colinear to horizontal axis x. This rotation axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the cylindrical element.

[0027] Unit 13 for receiving parts comprises a turning plate 25 to which there are attached two support elements 26, each forming a pivoting support 27 and a rod 28 which receives the parts to be treated. Pivoting support 27 is attached to plate 25 so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis B. Rod 28 is pivotable on a horizontal axis C and comprises a chuck (not shown) adapted to the parts to be treated.

[0028] As mentioned above, machining center 10 comprises a control unit 14 consisting of an operator interface 29 and a programming unit 30. Operator interface 29 allows the user to define the laws governing movement of the parts to be treated and finishing devices 18 for optimal treatment of the parts. These laws of movement can be defined intuitively because support elements 26 and finishing devices 18 are displaced separately and displacement can be broken down according to easily visualized axes.

[0029] Programming unit 30 integrates the laws of movement introduced by the operator so they can be duplicated when an identical series of parts is to be treated. The programming unit also takes into account the time required to load and unload the parts, which takes on an unused chuck while a part is treated on the other chuck. Programming unit 30 also regulates distribution of treatment products.

[0030] Finishing center 10 comprises a vacuum device 31 for eliminating particles generated by the treated parts and treatment products. Said vacuum device comprises a suction tube 32 with one end opening into frame 11, preferably into the floor thereof, and another extremity connected to a vacuum known in the art and adapted for use in the finishing center.

[0031] The finishing center according to the present invention offers various advantages over prior art machines. Since finishing unit 12 is suspended at the top of frame 15, waste material dropping to the bottom does not contaminate the parts of the machine, particularly the moving parts. This improves the machine's performance. Access to these parts and to the inside of the finishing center is facilitated, thereby easing maintenance.

[0032] Because the six degree range is separated into a four degree range for finishing unit 12 and a two degree range for support element 26, the laws of movement can be defined very intuitively using operator interface 29, while still allowing nearly any type of part to be treated, even parts with very complex shapes.

[0033] Since the bottom of housing 15 is freed up, a vacuum means 31 can be installed there for optimal recovery of waste material.

[0034] Finally, the machine can be easily adapted to specific user needs, for example, by modifying the number of support elements or the number and disposition of finishing units.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but extends to any modification or variation that is obvious to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A center for finishing molded, die-cast, or machined mechanical parts, comprising a frame (11), at least one finishing unit (12) comprising rotating finishing devices (18) such as, for example, tools for deburring, brushing, sanding, grinding or polishing, at least one unit (13) for receiving the parts to be treated, and drive means which displaces the finishing device in order selectively to place the surfaces of the parts to be treated in contact with said finishing devices for a predetermined length of time, said finishing unit (12) being suspended at the top of said frame (11) and the drive means (19) being capable of displacing the finishing devices along three orthogonal linear displacement axes (x, y, z), characterized in that the unit (13) which receives the parts comprises a support element (26) having at least one support (27) that pivots on a pivot axle (B) parallel to one of said orthogonal linear displacement axes (z).
 2. A finishing center according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a chuck for holding parts attached to said support (27), said chuck rotating on an axis of rotation (C) that is perpendicular to said pivot axle (B) of the support.
 3. A finishing center according to claim 1 characterized in that said pivot axle (B) of said support (27) for said finishing means (18) is generally vertical.
 4. A finishing center according to claim 2 characterized in that said pivot axle (C) for said support (27) is generally horizontal.
 5. A finishing center according to claim 1 characterized in that the support element (26) comprises a generally horizontal plate (25) holding said pivoting support (27), said plate pivoting about a generally vertical axle and with a means for indexing the position of the plate being provided.
 6. A finishing center according to claim 5 characterized in that said plate (25) holds several pivoting supports (27) which receive parts to be treated.
 7. A finishing center according to claim 6 characterized in that said plate (25) holds two pivoting supports (27) located 180° apart from each other, one of said supports being in the treatment position near the finishing means (18), while the other is in the loading and unloading position; said plate moves the plates from one position to the other by rotating 180°.
 8. A finishing center according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a control unit (14) regulating displacement of the finishing unit (12) and/or the unit (13) which receives parts to be treated.
 9. A finishing unit according to claim 8 characterized in that the control unit (14) comprises an operator interface (29) for programming movement of the finishing unit (12) and/or the unit (13) which receives parts to be treated.
 10. A finishing center according to claim 8 characterized in that the control unit (14) comprises a programming unit (30) for storing the displacements of the finishing unit (12) and/or the unit (13) which receives parts to be treated.
 11. A finishing unit according to claim 8 characterized in that it comprises suction means (31) consisting of a vacuum device and a suction tube (32), one end of which opens into the bottom of the frame (11). 